Giro’s Stelvio stage may be shortened due to bad weather

The Giro d’Italia’s highest mountain stage to Passo Stelvio may be shortened if Italy’s weather fails to cooperate. According to some weather reports, rain and freezing temperatures are expected for the run up to 2,757 metres this Saturday.

“Really?” Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Barracuda) said after the stage yesterday when asked about the chance of bad weather. “I heard the opposite. I haven’t thought of those scenarios.”

Dan Lloyd (IG-Sigma Sport) told Cycling Weekly that when he did his test ride of the climb this week with Michael Barry (Sky), the two had to make their way through snow. The road is still closed from Bagni Nuovi, only two kilometres above Bormio and isn’t due to be open until the day of the race. The other and more famous side, from Prato Stelvio will remain closed.

Temperatures for the pass on Saturday are currently forecasted at 4°C, wind chill at -1°C and with a chance of rain. If snow or bad weather did ruin the day, the organiser may be forced to finish the stage at Bormio 2000, where Damiano Cunego won in 2004.

The organiser and sources close to the race say that the stage should run as planned, 219 kilometres from Caldes. In addition to the 22.4-kilometre Stelvio, the 20th leg also climbs Passo del Tonale, Aprica, Teglio and Mortirolo.

Joaquin Rodriguez “wants to climb the Stelvio. He likes the climb and has a chance to make a bigger gap over Ryder,” Katusha Sports Director Valerio Piva told Cycling Weekly. “Of course, he doesn’t want to ride in the snow!”

Two years ago, weather threatened to spoil the Giro’s passage over the nearby Gavia Pass. The organisers came out with three different routes in case of a needed, last-minute change. The Giro passed without problem, making its way on a road flanked by snow three metres high.

In 1975, the Giro d’Italia ended with a stage up the Stelvio in similar conditions (see video clip below).